Leon Haslam delivered another determined performance last time out at the TT Circuit Assen, but as the ZYN British Superbike Championship returns to his home circuit of Donington Park this weekend, the Moto Rapido Racing rider is still aiming for victory.
Haslam was back on the podium last time out but when a technical issue sidelined him from race two, the ‘Pocket Rocket’ had to start from the back row in race three, charging through the pack to claim sixth place. Heading into the home round now this weekend, Haslam believes they are in a much stronger position compared to earlier in the season to be in the podium battle.
Haslam said: “I am obviously looking forward to Donington Park. For me, Assen could have been a very good weekend. It was a could’ve, should’ve, would’ve kind of thing! We took the pole position and I got a bad start in the first one and battled for second with Kyle. It felt like we had the pace to go with Scott and I was fired up for the next one, but we had a small technical issue, which made it so I didn’t start the second race. We were really disappointed, especially with the pace that we had that weekend. I felt like it was a weekend where we could have won.
“The last race then was on one hand kind of fun, starting from 22nd on the grid and coming through all the way to sixth, which was actually quite enjoyable for me. But at the same time, if we hadn’t had to start from the back row then we could’ve probably challenged for the race win.
“All in all, the bike, the team everything has all progressed really well. Obviously Donington is my home round and the bike is in a lot better place than it was at round two, so I’m looking forward to getting back to my home track and trying to get that first win of the year. It was a tough weekend as far as points and the championship goes in Assen, but that third place is still all to fight for, so hopefully we can capitalise on my home round.”